Marrying My Fake Boyfriend

“Marry me,” he said hoarsely.

Cherrelle giggled and pressed a kiss to his neck.

“Always.”

*****

Jim grinned at Cherrelle as they twirled around the dance floor.

“You’re looking amazing, Cherrelle. I haven’t seen you smile like this in a long time.”

Cherrelle laughed. “Yeah, well, a wedding will do that to the bride.”

“I bet.” Jim chuckled. “I didn’t think your idea to have Brad pose as your boyfriend was a good idea, but I’m glad it worked.”

Cherrelle was glad as well. After revealing their feelings for each other the night before, Cherrelle was determined to make this a proper wedding instead of a rigmarole to get her parents off her back.

It had been an eventful night. After they had made love, Cherrelle had called the police and told them about Jason. Brad had also put in his own complaint about Serena. Someone had come out to talk to them, a young female officer in her mid-twenties, and had taken the details. She had been friendly and personable, promising to get onto it as soon as possible.

Then they had had to go through with a second wedding. This time, Cherrelle felt the magic any bride would feel marrying the man they loved. She couldn’t stop smiling and everyone had commented on it.

The only blip was Emily. Her mother had decided at the last minute that she wouldn’t attend, even though Cherrelle was getting ready in her house. She had gone in with the hairdresser and makeup artist to find a note saying the three of them had gone on a long holiday and they had full run of the house. While Cherrelle was sad her mother couldn’t join in and had caved in to her husband, she couldn’t find a reason to stop smiling.

For once, she was getting someone she wanted. Someone who wanted her.

She felt a tap on her shoulder and Cherrelle turned to find Paige standing behind her.

“Can I squeeze in now? I’d like a dance.”

Cherrelle slanted an eyebrow at her friend. “Won’t it look a bit weird the bride and bridesmaid doing the tango together?”

“Silly.” Paige rolled her eyes, but the smile didn’t disappear. “Oh, Sarah’s just come back from the precinct. She wants to talk to you.”

“Thanks.”

Sarah had gone to the police station shortly after the ceremony when the police had called. They had news for her, and while Cherrelle wanted to know, she didn’t want to leave her wedding so Sarah had offered to go instead.

Brad was talking to Michael and his father, Rowan, as Cherrelle went past him. She touched his arm.

“I’ll be back in a minute. Sarah wants a word.”

Brad didn’t need to ask what she meant. He simply smiled and kissed her.

“Hurry back,” he whispered. “I want another dance with you in a bit.”

“You want me for a difference dance entirely,” Cherrelle scolded teasingly.

“True.”

Cherrelle slapped his arm and moved across the room to join Sarah, who stood just inside the door. Sarah smiled and hugged her.

“You’re looking amazing, Cherrelle.”

“I feel amazing.” Cherrelle led them to a nearby empty table and they sat. “So, what happened?”

“Dallas PD has given both you and Brad restraining orders against Jason and Serena, respectively. Neither of them can contact either of you, and they can’t come to your places of business or be within several hundred feet.”

“Good.” That was promising. Cherrelle sighed. “I should’ve done that at the start.”

“They found your family waiting to board a plane to South America. Logan claimed it was for a holiday, but their tickets were one-way.” Sarah’s mouth twisted. “Serena told the cops everything. Jason and Logan wanted you to marry Jason and not Brad, so they concocted a few plans to make sure you married Jason today. She got roped in because she took a fancy to Brad and wanted him for herself.” She bit her lip and looked uncomfortable. “She also said Emily was involved with the planning; she just had a passive role.”

Cherrelle stared. She couldn’t believe what she was hearing. “Ma was involved as well?”

“All of them were involved. If all else failed, she was going to make sure you didn’t turn up at the church.” Sarah took a breath and let it out in a rush. “It’s a good thing the police caught them when they did. They were planning to run and hide their faces.”

“I wish they had gone. Then I wouldn’t have to contend with them.” Cherrelle rubbed at the bridge of her nose. “I can’t believe my own family were prepared to ruin any chance of happiness for me.”

Sarah put a hand overs hers and gave it a squeeze. “The police want to get your statements as well. But they say it can wait until tomorrow. Let you enjoy your wedding night.”

Her wedding night. That gave Cherrelle something to smile about.

“Yeah. My wedding night.”

She looked across the room and caught Brad’s eye. His heated look told Cherrelle he was thinking the same thing.

The hotel suite was sounding very inviting right about now.

And Cherrelle knew she was going to be in for a wild night.

The end.